Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2009-10: Anton Forsberg played a little over half the season for MODO’s U20 team in the Swedish SuperElit league. Posted a 3.70 GAA and .874 Save % in 21 regular season games, but showed well in the post season with a 2.37 GAA and .903 Save % in 3 appearances.

2010-11: Spent the year with MODO’s U20 team with quality results: 2.90 GAA and .907 Save % in 33 games. He improved his results yet again in the playoffs, posting a 2.85 GAA and .921 Save % in 6 contests.

2011-12: Forsberg played for the Modo Hockey Ornskoldsvik backing up former Coyotes goalie Mikael Tellqvist (32 years old). In his first year of professional, Forsberg gave up 32 goals in 15 games (3.15 goals against average). A year after playing in the relegation series, Modo was able to make the playoffs this season. Modo lost in the first round of the Elitserien playoffs to Skellefteå AIK four games to two.

2012-13: Forsberg played for Sodertalje in Sweden’s second league (Allsvenskan). He appeared in 46 games and was 24-9-0 with 3 shutouts and had a 2.04 goals against and .933 save percentage. Sodertalje was second behind Leksands in the regular season but did gain elevation to Sweden’s Elitserien after finishing sixth in the Kval Series. Forsberg was 2-5 in eight Kval games with a 3.00 goals against and .909 save percentage. Forsberg signed a three-year entry-level contract with Columbus in May, 2013.

2013-14: Forsberg made his pro hockey debut in North America — joining Columbus AHL affiliate Springfield following his second season in Sweden’s SHL. In three games with the Falcons he was 3-0 with a 1.13 goals against and .957 save percentage. Forsberg played in 22 regular season games for MODO as a backup to Sabres’ prospect Linus Ullmark. He was 11-11 with one shutout and had a 2.44 goals against and .919 save percentage. MODO finished eighth in the 12-team league; falling to Linkopings in the play-in round. Forsberg did not play in either game as a back-up to Ullmark.

2014-15: Forsberg made his NHL debut with Columbus in a November 1st game at New Jersey, stopping 26 of 29 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Devils. He appeared in one other game with the Blue Jackets in November before being returned to AHL affiliate Springfield and played three more games with Columbus in a February call-up. He was 0-4 with the Blue Jackets and had a 4.69 goals against and .886 save percentage. Forsberg played 30 regular season games for Springfield in his first season in North America. He was 20-8-1 with three shutouts and had a 2.01 goals against and .927 save percentage. The Falcons finished third in the Northeast Division, one point behind Portland for the final playoff spot.

2015-16: Forsberg earned his first NHL victory in a January 2nd game for the Blue Jackets, taking over for injured starter Curtis McElhinney in the third period of an eventual 5-4 shootout win over Washington. He started three other games in January and served as a backup to fellow rookie Joonas Korpisalo before eventually returning to the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters. He was 1-3 with a 3.03 goals against and .907 save percentage. Sharing the goaltending duties for the Monsters with AHL veteran Brad Thiessen and Korpisalo, Forsberg has had another strong season in the AHL.

Talent Analysis

Forsberg has good size and is continuing to refine the technical aspects of his game. He has steadily developed and has a lot of natural ability and needs a few years of experience. He is often referred to as a butterfly goalie that plays a modern style and is not afraid to come to the tip of the crease. He appeared a bit overwhelmed in his first NHL experience but has played well at the minor league level.

Future

Forsberg is in his second AHL season with new Columbus affiliate Lake Erie in 2015-16. Briefly with the Blue Jackets during January, he continues to show promise with the Monsters but is still working to become more consistent and hone the finer points of his game. Forsberg has the athleticism and skill to be an NHL starter in the future.

Photo: Zach Werenski was a force on the blueline for the U.S. at the 2015 World Junior Championships, even pitching in offensively with two points in five games. (Courtesy of John Crouch/Icon Sportswire)

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Photo: Defenseman Austin Madaisky is having a breakout season in 2014-15 and has 29 points through 36 AHL games. Madaisky was a former fifth round pick in the 2010 NHL Draft. (courtesy of Justin Berl/Icon Sportswire)

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